Saint-Martin-l'Astier - Saint-Martin

This church, here seen from the parking lot, was a big surprise for me. It is visible that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive..

It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés.

There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the center of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Was there a ford? Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France!

The Romanesque nave was added to the older structure within the 12th century. The cemetery in front is modern.